Vacuum cleaner



June 3, 1.94.1. .1. .NE'IDIG VACUUM CLEANER Ffi'led March 2, .1958 VInventor:

Patented June 3, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

My invention is directed at improving the efficiency of vacuum cleaners,whether of the portable type in common domestic use, or the built-instationary type employing heavier vacuum producing agencies, in commonuse in ofiice buildings and hotels. Certain aspects of the invention aredescribed and more broadly claimed in my application for United Statespatent, Serial Number 139,399, filed April 28, 1937, now pending.

One of the purposes of the general invention is to augment the suctionintensity available to a vacuum cleaner without reducing the area of itssuction aperture, through the employment of distributor devices thatconcentrate the vacuum locally upon portions of the aperture at a time,instead of applying it over the entire aperture at all times, thuscovering the same aperture in a manner making smaller demands upon themotor, and increasing its ability to maintain a higher vacuum, or in thecase of stationary motors, decreasing the vacuum consumption andtherefore its cost, even when the pressure is already high.

Another of my purposes is to provide a suction nozzle that can be usedupon the loose ends of small rugs or the like more freely, or upon anydiflicult work-fabrics.

Another of my purposes is to show constructions embodying thecombination of my suction augmenting devices with brush devices for usein suction cleaning.

Another of my purposes is to provide a means for distributing anaugmented local suction over the work-fabric in a to-and-fro action.

Another of my purposes is to provide a vacuum distributor supplied withchannels enabling advantage to be taken of the friction of the inrushingair in augmenting the vacuum suction.

The mechanism through which I accomplish theseseveral purposes isillustrated in the drawing. In the drawingr a i r Fig. l is anend view,partly broken away and partly in section, of the nozzle portion of aportable vacuum cleaner incorporating one of the embodiments of myinvention.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the revoluble vacuum distributor and brushcarrier used therein, removed from the nozzle, and slightly reduced inscale.

Fig. 3 is a front view of a modification of the distributor and carriershown in Fig. 2.

Similar symbols of reference refer to similar parts-in the drawing.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and2 is described as follows:

A usual motor of a portable cleaner is indicated at I, and the fandriven thereby to supply the vacuum at la. The motor shaft is indicatedat 2, a pulley fixed thereon at 3, and the nozzle shell or casing at 4.This casing houses a revoluble distributor member, to be describedlater, and also serves as a vacuum conduit between the fan chamber andthe suction aperture 6 through which the cleaning is accomplished.Suction aperture 6 extends longitudinally of the nozzle, as in usualpractice. The work fabric to be cleaned is indicated at l.

The distributor member referred to as housed by casing 4 is indicated at8.. It is both a vacuum distributor and a carrier and has otherfunctions, as will appear. It is or may be journaled within the endwalls of casing 4 at axle 9 of usual ball bearings in substantially thesame position as a usual revoluble brush or beater, and like such brushor beater co-operates at suction aperture-6 with the vacuum in cleaningthe work fabric, but in ways quite unlike the action of such devices. Inthe drawing. it is shown as having a contour that is substantiallycylindrical, with a peripheral surface that is interrupted bycircumferentially extending vacuum channels iii. In the presentembodiment these. are defined by lips that lie in a plane oblique to theaxis of the distributor member 8, and when member 8 is in operativeposition, lie bridgingly across suction aperture 6, so that if the lipsof the suction aperture were incontact with the peripheral surface ofmember 8, a vacuum connection between the suction aperture 6 and thesource of vacuum would be afforded only through such channels H3. Thelips of aperture t however do not lie in contact with the surface ofmember 8, but are Withdrawn slightly from it, to afford clearance forthe brush devices carried by such member, and also to aiford passage forcertain types of trash, where such provision is found desirable. Theconstruction of member 8 is shown clearly in Fig. 2, and therelationship between its operative position and suction aperture 6, inFig. 1.

As will be seen, the rotation of member 8, so constructed and mounted,will result in bringing inclined channels ill into changing positionslongitudinally of aperture 5, thereby distributing the vacuum to and froalong such aperture much as a hose might distribute a jet of water toand fro over a sidewalk. Since channels If] in the drawing have an areathat is less than one-fourth the area of the peripheral surf-ace ofmember 8, thevacuum consumption will be that of a suction aperturehaving one-fourth the area of aperture 6, disregarding the clearance oneither side of member 8, thereby enabling the motor to maintain a highervacuum, or to maintain a given vacuum with a smaller expenditure ofpower, and at a consequent smaller expense.

As will be seen also, when the surface to be cleaned consists of afabric having a nap, and member 8 is brought into contact with it androtated (or member 8 of Fig. 3), the obliquely disposed leading edges ofthe blocking structure on said member will act to depress the nap andmember 8 will then be supported by such peripheral blocking surface uponthe bent-over nap and will block that portion of the nap from thevacuum. The bending-over action is not accompanied by a vacuum action.Not until the passing of a blocking portion of member 8 from contactwith the nap at a given point does this action at that point take place.Upon the passing of such peripheral blocking surface, however, the napat that point springs upright into the adjoining obliquely disposedchannel lil, now presented thereto, assisted by the intensified vacuumaction, and instantly becomes subjected to a concentrated vacuumscouring. It may be pointed out that the bending over of the nap isaccomplished at all times through an action directed at a point near thetips of the nap, and not at its roots, the support of the bentover napmaking a too deep action impossible. The entire cleaning actiontherefore, while very effective, is gentle and easy upon the fabric. Asimilar gentle cleaning action occurs in connection with the use ofmember 8 shown in Fig. 3.

By giving channels H] (or I9 in Fig. 3) a depth as shown and a lowangular inclination I not only secure a gentle action against a naphowever deep, but provide a construction permitting loose ends as ofrugs to be drawn into such channels without fouling. Such loose endsmerely pull out again as the cleaner passes on.

The construction described has the further advantage of making use ofthe friction attending the movement of the vacuum stream within theconfinement of channels. The rotation of member 8 as shown in'Fig. 1 isin clock direction. Since the vacuum stream in passing through channelsIn is acted upon frictionally by the walls of the channels, and theserevolve with member 8 at considerable speed, the vacuum stream on theWork side of member 8 has its speed increased by such friction, while onthe other side of member 8 the friction acts against the vacuum streamto retard it. In both cases this action tends to conserve the vacuum.

Such frictional assistance is increased as the width of channels l (andI B in Fig. 3) is narrowed and their depth increased. If such assistanceis desired the channels may be constructed as shown in the drawing, andthey will preferably be given a depth of at least twice their width,since a relative depth less than that does not assure much friction.

It will be noted further that I prefer to arrange channels Hl on member8 as shown in the drawing, with the inclination of their planes half inone direction and half in the other. The advantage is that the opposedaction that results tends to stabilize the work-fabric.

In the drawing I show a brush that extends crosswise of channels lilinaxial direction along the periphery of member 8, the brush beingindicated at hits back or holder at l5, and the T-shaped recessin member8 in which it is seated at Hi. The brush is useful in removing trashsuch as dogs hairs and cobwebs from the work-fabric, as in presentpractice, but its cleaning action is enhanced through association withmember 8 and its vacuum channels.

Member 8 is preferably constructed as a hollow metal shell, but suchconstruction is not essential. It is preferably given a power actuationby motor I through pulley 3, belt I! and pulley I8, but its actuation isnot limited to such agencies. Since the speed at which it revolves isconsiderable, it is preferably constructed so as to rotate in balance,as will be understood. Pulley i8 may be described either as a part ofmember 8, or member 8 may be considered as composed of two cylindersaxled end to end against pulley l8 and rotating as a unit with it.

The modification of the vacuum distributor and brush carrier that isillustrated in Fig. 3 is described as follows: The channeled distributormember is indicated in this figure at 8 It differs from member 8 inhaving its peripheral channels ['0 arranged helically instead ofcircumferentially. In the drawing, channel I6 is shown as an interruptedhelix on either side of the central pulley is, but whether it is acontinuous channel or not is immaterial. In the drawing, channels I0 ateither end of member 8 are shown as of opposed pitch, one being lefthandand one right-hand. Thisarrangement of the channeling serves to preventthe displacement of the work-fabric during the cleaning operation. Thebrush l4 shown as used with channels H3 is the same in construction asthat described in connection with channels Ill of Fig. 2, and cooperatesin the cleaning action in much the same way.

It will be understood that the surfaces of members 8 and 8 willpreferably be polished and the corners of the channeling slightlyrounded, so that their light contact with the work-fabric will cause nowear. It will be further understood that although the invention has beenillustrated herein as applied to'a portable cleaner, its use is notconfined to such, whether to decrease the vacuum consumption or toincrease their cleaning efficiency. The width and depth of thechanneling, and its pitch, are somewhat immaterial;-they may be as ispreferred for the use in View.

The action of the mechanism has been described. 7

Having thus clearly described my invention and explained its uses, Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a Vacuumcleaner, in combination: a source of vacuum; a hollow nozzle connectedtherewith, said nozzle having a suction aperture therein; a revolublecylinder journaled to rotate within the nozzle in a position adjacent tothe aperture and partly blocking it, said cylinder having its blockingsurface interrupted by helically arranged channeling defined by lipsadapted to part the nap of the work-fabric when rotated in contacttherewith, the channeling righthanded on one portion of the cylinderandlefthanded on another; brush devices disposed on the cylinder across thechanneling and cooperating with the vacuum brought to the work therebyin the cleaning action; and power means connected to rotate thecylinder, thereby presenting the vacuum to the aperture by moving zonesand rendering the cooperating devices effective.

2. In a vacuum cleaner, in combination: a source of vacuum; a hollownozzle connected thereto, said nozzle defining a suction apertureaffording access therefrom to the work-surface; a revolubledistributor-member mounted at said aperture, said member ofsubstantially cylindrical figure, and constructed having obliquelydisposed channels therein defined by impervious material of fulldiameter, said channels being adapted to serve as pneumatic conduitsbetween the vacuum and th work-surface, and to carry away dirt removedtherefrom, and the full-diameter structure being adapted to beinterposed between the vacuum and the work-surface, said structurehaving a full-diameter area greater than the mouth-area of the channelsdefined by it; brush devices mounted on said member, adapted tocooperate with said several devices in the cleaning; and means adaptedto rotate said member through all of its angular positions therebydirecting the vacuum upon changing local portions of the work-surface.

3. In a vacuum cleaner, in combination: a source of vacuum; a hollownozzle connected thereto, said nozzle defining a suction apertureaffording access therefrom to the work-surface; a revolubledistributor-member mounted at said aperture, said member ofsubstantially cylindrical figure, and constructed having obliquelydisposed channels therein defined by impervious material of fulldiameter, said channels being adapted to serve as pneumatic conduitsbetween the vacuum and the work-surface, and having walls separated by adistance less than half that of their depth from floor to lips, and thefulldiameter structure being adapted to be interposed between the vacuumand the work-surface, said structure having a full-diameter area greaterthan the mouth-area of the channels defined by it; and means adapted torotate said member through all of its angular positions, therebydirecting the vacuum upon changing local portions of the work-surface.

4. In a vacuum cleaner, in combination: a source of vacuum; a hollownozzle connected thereto, said nozzle defining a suction apertureafiording access therefrom to the work-surface; a revolubledistributor-member mounted at said aperture, said member ofsubstantially cylindrical figure, and constructed having obliquelydisposed annular channels therein defined by impervious material of fulldiameter, said channels being adapted to serve as pneumatic conduitsbetween the vacuum and the work-surface, and to carry away dirt removedtherefrom, and the full diameter structure being adapted to beinterposed between the vacuum and the work-surface, said structurehaving a full-diameter area greater than the mouth-area of the channelsdefined by it; and means adapted to rotate said member through everyangular position thereof, thereby directing the vacuum in a to-and-froaction upon changing local portions of the work-surface.

5. In a vacuum cleaner, in combination: a source of vacuum; a hollownozzle connected thereto, its shell defining a suction aperture afforingaccess therefrom to the work-surface; a revoluble distributor-membermounted at said aperture, said member of substantially cylindricalfigure, and constructed having obliquely disposed annular channelstherein defined by impervious material of full diameter, said channelsbeing adapted to serve as pneumatic conduits between the vacuum and thework-surface, and to carry away dirt removed therefrom, and

the full-diameter structure being adapted to be interposed between thevacuum and the worksurface, said structure having a full-diameter areagreater than the mouth-area of the channels defined by it; brush devicesmounted on said member adapted to cooperate with the said severaldevices in the cleaning operation; and power means adapted to rotatesaid member, thereby directing the vacuum upon changing local portionsof the work-surface.

6. In a vacuum cleaner, in combination: a source of vacuum; a hollownozzle connected thereto, said nozzle defining a suction apertureafiording access therefrom to the work-surface; a revolubledistributor-member mounted at said aperture, said member ofsubstantially cylindrical figure, and constructed having obliquelydisposed annular channels therein defined by impervious material of fulldiameter, said channels being adapted to serve as pneumatic conduitsbetween the vacuum and the work-surface, and having walls separted by adistance less than half that of their depth from fioor to lips, and thefull-diameter structure being adapted to be interposed between thevacuum and the worksurface, said structure having a full-diameter areagreater than the mouth-area of the channels defined by it; and powermeans adapted to rotate said member, thereby directing the vacuum in ato-and-fro action upon changing local portions of the work-surface.

7. In a vacuum cleaner, in combination: a source of vacuum; a hollownozzle connected therewith, said nozzle defining a suction apentureaffording access therefrom to the work-surface; a revolubledistributor-member mounted at said aperture, said member ofsubstantially cylindrical figure, and constructed having obliquelydisposed annular channels therein defined by impervious material of fulldiameter, said channels being adapted to serve as pneumatic conduitsbetween the vacuum and the work-surface, and having walls separated by adistance less than half that of their depth from floor to lips, thefull-diameter structure being adapted to be interposed between thevacuum and the work-sunface, said structure having a full-diameter areagreater than the mouth-area of the channels defined by it; brush devicesmounted on said member adapted to cooperate with said devices incleaning; and power means adapted to rotate said member.

8. In a vacuum cleaner, in combination: a source of vacuum; a hollownozzle connected thereto, said nozzle defining a suction apertureaffording access therefrom to the work-surface; a revolubledistributor-member mounted at said aperture, said member ofsubstantially cylindri cal figure and constructed having helicallydisposed channels therein defined by impervious material of fulldiameter, said channels being adapted to serve as pneumatic conduitsbetween the vacuum and the work-surface, and having walls separated by adistance less than half of their depth from floor to lips, thefull-diameter structure being adapted to be interposed between thevacuum and the work-surface, said structure having a full-diameter areagreater than the mouth-area of the channels defined by it, brush devicesmounted on said member adapt ed to cooperate with said devices incleaning, and power means adapted to rotate said member.

WILLIAM J. NEIDIG.

